Bayer Leverkusen now want to elbow Leeds United aside for a second time this year to sign £16m goalkeeper

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Back in January, Leeds United were left frustrated in their pursuit of Emi Buendia as the Aston Villa playmaker chose to join German giants Bayer Leverkusen on loan.

Daniel Farke rarely speaks about a player from another team, recently doing so with Gladbach captain Julian Weigl. Another was Buendia, who he also managed while in charge of one of his former clubs.

Buendia reportedly made it clear he did not want to drop down a division into the Championship, but as long as the January window went on, he might have been tempted. But Leverkusen put an end to that.

Xabi Alonso’s side decided they wanted to sign Buendia and he has since been at Leverkusen on loan. He scored his second goal for them on the weekend and now, Leverkusen want another Leeds United target.

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One of Leeds’ priorities in the transfer market will be to sign a goalkeeper. Phil Hay thinks Illan Meslier is “done” at Elland Road and will leave this summer, with the Frenchman’s contract running only until 2026.

Plenty have been linked, including England internationals like Aaron Ramsdale, Sam Johnstone and Nick Pope. Another option is Chelsea’s £16m goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, who is on loan at Strasbourg.

Well, Leverkusen are back to spoil the party for Leeds, with Alonso’s keen to replace veteran Lukas Hradecky between the sticks. German magazine Kicker say Leverkusen have made Petrovic a top target.

How Emi Buendia has fared for Bayer Leverkusen after switch…

It was a struggle to begin with for Buendia. Of the 12 Bundesliga games he could have started since he joined, Buendia only managed his second Bundesliga start on Saturday – hooked at half-time in his first.

But it resulted in a goal for Buendia as Leverkusen beat Augsburg 2-0, with the Bundesliga title looking as though it will now go to Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich. He did start in a win over Koln in the Cup.

The chances are, Leverkusen are not going to sign Buendia permanently beyond his loan and it may open up an opportunity for Leeds this summer. Whether Leeds get Buendia or Petrovic, is down to Alonso.